Jackson, Tennessee, Personal Injury & Workers' Compensation Law Blog

Tennessee families may have case for wrongful death in crashes

On behalf of Boren & Boyd, PLC posted in wrongful death on Wednesday, December 5, 2018.

Life is full of daily decisions that usually do not result in life or death consequences. Unfortunately, depending upon the situation and surroundings, even a simple decision to cross an intersection could result in a tragic ending. Recently, the death of one Tennessee woman could have surviving family wondering if there is a basis for pursuing a wrongful death.

Tennessee police filed charges against a driver believed to be responsible for causing the death of a 30-year-old woman who was attempting to cross an intersection during the overnight hours. According to the report, the victim was crossing at what has been described as a busy intersection when she entered the charged driver's lane. It is unknown whether the 24-year-old driver took any evasive actions to attempt to avoid striking the woman.

These bicycle safety tips will give you peace of mind

On behalf of Boren & Boyd, PLC on Tuesday, December 4, 2018.

It doesn't matter if you're riding your bicycle to and from work or for nothing more than pleasure, your safety is priority number one. If you don't have your safety in mind at all times, there's a greater risk of being part of an accident.

Fortunately, there are several bicycle safety tips you can follow to improve your safety and feel better about tackling the road. Here are five things to keep in mind:

Opening doors are dangerous: When a person opens a car door into your path, you only have two options: Attempt to get out of the way or strike it head on. While moving would be in your best interest, it's not always possible to do so. And even if it is, it could result in another accident, such as one with a moving vehicle.
Watch for turning vehicles: When a driver turns, they don't always look to see if someone, such as a bicyclist, is in their blind spot. Take special caution as you get closer to intersections.
Don't spook pedestrians: Cars aren't the only thing you have to worry about as a bicyclist. Do your best to pass behind pedestrians, as riding in front of them can startle them and force you to make a quick decision.
Watch for aggressive drivers: Despite the many laws designed to help drivers and bicyclists share the road, it doesn't always happen. Many drivers don't care to share the road with bicyclists, which increases the chance of an accident.
Use the bicycle lane: When available, spend your time driving in a designated bicycle lane. You don't have to worry about cars here. Furthermore, it's designed for your safety.

5 important steps to take after a car accident

On behalf of Boren & Boyd, PLC on Monday, November 26, 2018.

Even if you think you're prepared to deal with the aftermath of a car accident, you never know what you'll actually do if you find yourself in this position. By taking the right steps at the right time, you put yourself in position to deal with the many challenges associated with your accident.

Here are five steps you must take:

Check yourself and passengers for injuries: This is job number one, as you need to better understand what you're up against. If you or a passenger is seriously injured, administer first-aid until help arrives.
Call 911: When you do this, it won't be long before police and an ambulance rush to the scene to provide assistance. Don't hesitate to ask for transportation to a local hospital, even if you don't think you're suffering from a serious injury.
Exchange information: This is a basic step to take after any type of car accident, but it's not always possible. For example, if you're dealing with serious injuries, the last thing you're thinking about is exchanging insurance information and contact details with the other driver(s).
Contact your insurance company: Don't do this until you have time in your schedule and a clear mind. Stick to the facts when discussing the accident with your agent. Also, if you don't feel comfortable answering a question, let your agent know.
Work with your medical team: Regardless of your injuries, work closely with your medical team to ensure that you're doing whatever you can to make a full recovery. Also, keep track of every bit of treatment you receive, along with the bills associated with it. This information can come in handy when filing an insurance claim.

Families may have basis for wrongful death in highway fatalities

On behalf of Boren & Boyd, PLC posted in wrongful death on Thursday, November 22, 2018.

The majority of Tennessee commuters are familiar with the most dangerous sections of their routes on their way to and from work, school or errands. Unfortunately, no matter how attentive a driver may be to known hazards, sometimes unforeseen dangers wind up causing fatal accidents. Sadly, surviving families are left to pick up the pieces after a wrongful death robs them of a loved one.

Tennessee officials are currently investigating a fatal incident that occurred along Interstate 24 just outside of downtown Nashville. According to preliminary reports, a 54-year-old man was headed to his job at a local plant shortly before 5 a.m. As he traveled through an underpass, a large chunk of concrete came hurtling through his front windshield. The debris smashed the glass and struck the man in the face, resulting in his death.

Workers' compensation claims denied based on false information

On behalf of Boren & Boyd, PLC posted in workers' compensation on Thursday, November 8, 2018.

Those who work in factory or industrial settings face many hazards due to the nature of the work and the machinery involved. There have been countless Tennessee employees who have suffered a work-related injury and turned to the workers' compensation program for assistance with medical expenses and help with lost pay. However, an inaccurate diagnosis or false information from a provider can result in qualifying claims being denied.

According to a recent in-depth report, officials with the electric car manufacturer, Tesla -- and its on-site clinic staff -- purportedly have policies in place to reduce reports of injured workers. Unfortunately, the report asserts that these numbers are low due to clinic policies that discount even severe injuries. Several former employees and clinic staff have reported that medical care is often denied or downplayed in order to keep an injury off the official records that are submitted to state and federal agencies.

Post-accident brain injuries in children

On behalf of Boren & Boyd, PLC on Thursday, November 1, 2018.

Anyone can suffer a traumatic brain injury during a car accident, and the ramifications are often serious and long-lasting. They can change your life forever. All it takes is one driver who is drunk behind the wheel or distracted by a cellphone and you could wind up in the hospital with significant injuries.

That said, parents need to especially watch out for signs and symptoms of a brain injury in a child after an accident. Children do not always explain their symptoms the way adults would. Some lack the vocabulary or awareness to do so. Changes may appear more subtle, or potential issues may get written off as developmental differences.

Some fatal accidents may justify filing wrongful death claims

On behalf of Boren & Boyd, PLC posted in wrongful death on Thursday, October 25, 2018.

When traveling the interstates, the most frustrating aspects are usually heavy traffic and aggressive drivers. Unfortunately, while many Tennessee drivers are familiar with the dangers that large, commercial vehicles can pose, there are also the unexpected events that can lead to a fatal crash. In some situations, surviving family members may consider filing a wrongful death lawsuit when negligence may have lead to the loss of their loved one.

Recently, police and emergency responders were called to the scene of a tragic incident that occurred along Interstate 40. According to the report, a passenger car was being driven by a 71-year-old man who was traveling with an unknown number of passengers. As the motorist neared an exit ramp, an object came hurling toward the car from the left side. It smashed through the driver's side window and struck the driver.

Could a sports head injury lead to personal injury claim?

On behalf of Boren & Boyd, PLC posted in personal injury on Thursday, October 11, 2018.

Over the past several years, there have been several studies done regarding the safety of athletes during contact sports, especially football. While most of the focus has been on the lasting effects of concussions on professional football players, medical professionals are also concerned about the cumulative effects of head injuries on younger players. One Tennessee family is now experiencing the pain of watching their son fight to recover after suffering a critical personal injury during a college football game.

The 20-year-old had played two previous seasons with another college team before transferring to Tennessee State University. During the recent game, the linebacker was involved in about five tackles and a sack of the opposing quarterback. According to the parents and video footage, none of the hits appeared to be excessively forceful.

Tips to stay safe as a pedestrian in Tennessee

On behalf of Boren & Boyd, PLC on Thursday, October 4, 2018.

As an individual walking outside, it can be easy to forget how defenseless you are to cars and trucks that are on the road. A recent NPR article reports pedestrian-motor vehicle crashes at a 25-year high. What tips can you follow to avoid an accident?

Reducing risks to motorcyclists is everyone’s task

On behalf of Boren & Boyd, PLC on Friday, September 28, 2018.

Motorcyclists are at an increased risk of injury when riding down the road in Tennessee. Accidents involving motorcycles often result in some of the worst and most catastrophic injuries due to the heightened levels of exposure and danger to these travelers.

To reduce the prevalence of these accidents, every person on the road – no matter what vehicle they drive – can take steps to remain aware of their surroundings and help increase safety. Injuries from a motorcycle collision often having life-changing and devastating effects, so taking simple steps to increase safety can make a major difference down the line.